The column that heads into the holiday weekend worrying about the rabid skunk in the city park, which could have been there last week during the SportsFest, and the splash park closes on Labor Day.

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Good afternoon!

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Hot and muggy on Labor Day, but the grillers will still be out there.

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On Saturday, Aug. 30, the Bridgeton Midget Football League will host Woodbury Steelers for the annual Vinnie Woodruff Day Games.

The Big John's Pizza Bulls will kick off at 11 a.m. followed by Joyce's Whips at 1 p.m., and the Cumberland Dairy Packers at 3 p.m.

The Fifth Ward Athletic Association Gems have the nightcap.

Adults $2 and Children 12 & under $1.

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How can we tell Dave Hitchner has been hacked?

Read on.

"Hello!

"I'm sorry you're getting the mail from me at this point in time. My family and I came down here to Keiv (Ukraine), for a short vacation unfortunately we were mugged at the park of the hotel we stayed. All cash credit cards and cell were stolen off but luckily for us we still have our passports with us.

"I have been to the embassy and the police here, but they're not helping issues at all and our flight leaves pretty soon from now, but we're having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won't let us leave until we settle the bills.

"Please be so kind to reply back so I can tell you what to do and how to get some cash to us.''

"I'm freaked out at the moment.''

— David Hitchner

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Don't ever believe one of these scams!

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The Earl of Sherrick checks in.

As the we resume our general membership luncheons, the Greater Millville Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that its selection as the Outstanding Citizen for September is Gene Tubertini.

Millville's "Music Man," Gene Tubertini, was passionate about his job as a music educator in Millville for 36 years.

After three years teaching music at Rieck Avenue School, he was choir director at Millville Senior High School from 1972 to 2005.

He became K-12 supervisor for the Fine and Performing Arts Department in 1978.

He directed the award-winning Select Choir.

He also was director/music director of the high school musicals, which received numerous Papermill Playhouse awards.

Tubertini started the annual presentation of the "Messiah," and 35 years later, it's still a popular Millville tradition.

Under the auspices of the former Millville YMCA, from 1972-75, Tubertini formed "The Eighth Day," a show group composed of Cumberland County high school students who toured Romania and performed for the President of Romania.

Nancy Miller Vonk, formerly of Millville, an author and advertising executive, who now lives in Toronto, Canada, was on that trip.

"Gene is a Millville treasure who made an indelible mark on the lives of his students. I'm so grateful. I left school with higher standards, more confidence and greater ambition thanks to this truly exceptional man," Vonk said.

Bill and Bonnie Fenton have three good reasons to sing the praises of Tubertini— sons Graham, Jack and Alec.

"The hundreds of hours they spent with Gene in his choirs and musicals created a lifetime of memories and enriched their lives and ours," said the Fentons.

Graham has played Frankie Valli in the Las Vegas company of "Jersey Boys" for the last past several years.

Jack started and directed a choir at his middle school where he is a special education teacher.

Alec is an audio-visual specialist for the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in California.

Jeff Harris, a previous recipient of the chamber's Outstanding Citizen award, noted: "Gene's a cappella choruses have brought much good music and joy to many people throughout South Jersey.

"Many nursing homes, assisted living centers, churches and community events have enjoyed the beautiful sounds of a cappella singing and the outstanding arrangements prepared by Gene's unique talent.

"It has been such a joy for my wife Karen and me to participate with such a talented arranger and director."

Tubertini is proud of the accomplishments of his former students, citing the abundance of talented singers in Millville, adding that many have become outstanding teachers and musicians.

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. and costs $20 to attend with a reservation and $22 at the door without a reservation.

Reservations are strongly urged to be made by Monday, Sept. 9, by calling 856-825-2600.

The speaker at the September luncheon is Jerry Covella of South Jersey Public Relations.

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They should have named a musical instrument after Tubertini.

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The Millville Cahmber of Commerce continues to reach out to area churches, and community organizations, etc., to seek their input and nominations.

We also welcome nominations from the general public.

All we ask is that you submit the name in writing by letter, fax or email.

The name and a couple of sentences explaining the goods efforts the person is making and it will be considered.

We will then invite the person selected and the person who nominates them to be our guest at a future luncheon.

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1. The man who owns Sidelines.

The city of Millville owes him like you wouldn't believe.

2. Carol Hickman, of Carolscatz.

3. Ric Kuhns of Animal Friends Foundation.

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Now that we have a rabid skunk, we'll retell the story of the reindeer that ran out of the park and across West Avenue when lightning struck.

It totaled our Le Car.

The insurance company called the city and asked what reindeer were doing in the city park.

The city explained that some had escaped form the zoo at one time and multiplied in the woods.

Unnerved by the phone call, the city went out and shot every reindeer in the city park.

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Followed years later by the shotgunning of the swans in Parvin State Park.